No matter the season; spring, summer, winter or fall, you can always look forward to attending a food market. Along with the hospitality and travel industry, market vendors were horribly affected by the pandemic. They struggled to find ways to get their fresh produce out to the public and ensure their businesses continued to stay afloat.
Prior to the pandemic, the Toronto Market Company served thousand of Torontonians daily with their fresh produce and goodies. It’s safe to say that TMC had to completely transform their business into an online marketplace once the pandemic hit. The virtual platform features over 100 of the city’s best local bakers, makers, restaurants, entrepreneurs and artisans. If you’re missing the fresh flavours of TMC, here’s everything you need to know about the their virtual marketplace.
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How It Works: Toronto Market Co.
The Toronto Market Co. website works like any traditional shopping page. When shopping their virtual market, you can choose from a huge selection of produce, pastries, pantry items, vegan and gluten-friendly options, the list is endless. Each product has a description and there’s even a section open to ratings from other customers. This was super helpful when trying to decide which items to buy. A drop down menu titled Shop By Theme breaks down top sellers, artisan products, what’s new and even a section titled Cottage Vibes, perfect for picking out items for you next summer road trip.
Once you’re happy with your selection, you can proceed to the checkout page and begin inputting your shipping and payment information. They offer shipping all around the GTA or, you can chose the pick-up option at their 369 Dupont St. location.
In just 4 days I received my shipment from Toronto Market Co. To receive your order on the same week, place it by 11:59PM on Sunday evening to receive a pickup or delivery on the following Thursday. If you’re looking for a quick and fast delivery, this might not be the place for you. Each individual item is packaged with care and typically takes longer than your local grocery store delivery service. If you’re worried about your frozen/dairy products spoiling, they won’t! These products are packaged in a cooler like box with ice packs to ensure everything stays cool and fresh. Shopping with Toronto Market Co. was an amazing experience. If you’re wondering what I picked, here’s everything I bought.
What We Ordered
Okazu Chili Miso
Vendor: Abokichi
Abokichi’s Okazu Chili Miso is an umami-rich chili, miso, and sesame oil based condiment often eaten with rice in Japan, which can also be used to top chicken, burgers, fish, eggs, potatoes, and more.
Use it as a marinade or as an ingredient in your own homemade salad dressing. This condiment is very versatile and the options for experimentation are endless! This award winning product will have your taste buds longing for more.
HEAT LEVEL: MILD-MEDIUM
230ml Jar
Italian Sopressata (350g)
Vendor: Albion Hills Farm
Albion Hills Farm’s delicious Italian Sopressata Salami is created using an original recipe from Calabria, in the southern part of Italy. Made with a blend of lean cuts of pork, red pepper, black pepper, wine and garlic, this Sausage is hung in a cold unit and aged up to five months. This sopressata’s bold flavours are sure to impress.
Granola No. 5
Vendor: Bayfield Provisions
Bayfield Provisions’ Granola No. 5 is the newest granola to join the gang. Originally a seasonal fan favourite and now officially part of the lineup, it’s lovingly referred to as “the one that tastes like gingerbread”. A peppery blend of spices, molasses, brown sugar and walnuts. Delicious as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, fruit crumbles and pumpkin pie.
400g bag.
Ingredients: gluten-free oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, molasses, extra virgin olive oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, kosher salt, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper, cinnamon, cardamom
gluten-free, dairy-free
Original Maple Pecans
Vendor: Jewels Under The Kilt
Jewels Under the Kilt harvests these nuts grown on their local farm in Fergus Ontario. These maple roasted pecan nuts are an original recipe. Delicious and addictive!
115g bag
Ingredients: maple pecan , dark maple syrup
peanut free, wheat free
Habanero Aioli Sauce
Vendor: Organic Chef
This locally-made organic aioli from Organic Chef Foods will amp up your summer burgers, sandwiches and is great for drizzling on potatoes and grilled veggies or using as a dip.
Made from organic free range heritage chicken eggs from Millbank Ontario Amish Farm, local honey from Woolwich Ontario, organic Modena balsamic vinegar, organic Italian extra virgin olive oil, organic canola oil, sea salt and ground habanero pepper.
259 ml bottle
Parallel Brother’s Hummus
Vendor: Parallel Brothers
Parallel’s smooth and creamy hummus is the most authentic hummus you can buy in this city. Prepared freshly in house using chickpeas and their house-made sesame butter. Great for dipping veggies in, as a side dish, atop a grain bowl and so much more. Drizzle with good olive oil, paprika, tahina and fresh chickpeas for a restaurant-like presentation!
500ml tub
Preservative-free. Consume within 4-5 days.
Portobello Mushroom + Goat Cheese Potato Pierogi
Vendor: Pierogi Me
Pierogi Me!’s pierogis are handcrafted using local ingredients. Egg-free and nut-free, these products are made in a facility free of these allergens.
This frozen product makes it easy to enjoy delicious, authentic pierogi at home – simply cook in boiling water from frozen and then finish your favourite way – either pan fried, baked or tossed in the butter as they are. This flavour combination is delicious and full of umami!
Each bag contains 12 handmade pierogi
Ingredients: White potato, goat cheese, organic portobello mushrooms, onion, spices, unbleached flour, water, canola oil.
White Truffle Mustard
Vendor: salt + MUSTARD
salt + MUSTARD’s white truffle mustard is a fan favourite, with a robust truffle aroma and flavour that is unmistakable. It’s perfect on sandwiches, in potato salads, as a dip, makes a great de-glaze and is excellent on roasted chickpeas.
Blueberry Chia Jar
Vendor: Village Juicery
Village Juicery’s Blueberry Chia Jar is made with house made creamy cashew milk paired with berries and chia seeds is protein packed and rich in fiber + omega 3 fatty acids to get you through your morning.
- 263ml jar.
- Consume within 4 days.
Ingredients: Blueberries, Cashew Milk (Cashews, Medjool Dates, Filtered Water), Chia Seeds, House Granola (Rolled Oats, Millet, Maple Syrup, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Sea Salt), Maple Syrup
Sundried Tomato and Basil Tapenade
Vendor: Wildly Delicious
Wildly Delicious presents a unique, versatile, flavour-packed condiment that is well suited for spreading on crusty bread, crostinis and crackers. Best served with cold meats and assorted cheeses but equally inspiring as a pizza sauce or Panini spread. This extraordinary tapenade is a crowd pleaser with a combination of sundried tomatoes, fine herbs and basil.
220g jar.
Free of trans fatty acids and cholesterol. Refrigerate after opening. Stir well before serving.
Ingredients: Diced tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, calcium chloride, citric acid), Sundried tomatoes (sundried tomatoes (salt), soybean oil, garlic, spices), sugar, capers (capers, water, salt, vinegar), basil, garlic, concentrated lemon juice, black pepper, sea salt, thyme, parsley, citric acid. May contain sulphites, tree nuts, milk, sesame, egg, wheat, soy, fish, mustard.
Final Thoughts
The Toronto Market Company is a great place to purchase and support local GTA businesses. They are reliable, fresh and a one-stop-shopping for all your grocery needs. They support all dietary restrictions with a wide variety of products for everyone to shop from! My favourite products were the Bluebery Chia Jar, White Truffle Mustard and the Original Maple Pecans. In my next order I’m looking forward to shopping from their fresh produce section.
For more information and to place your order go to torontomarketcompany.com.
Feature Image: Body Sculpting Regina
